Buxton International Festival Welcomes Continued Funding
Buxton International Festival is delighted to announce that its status as a National Portfolio Organisation continues from 2023 to 2026, with annual funding of £122K from Arts Council England.
BIF’s Artistic Director Adrian Kelly says: “We are thrilled to have received this funding for the Festival, which not only firmly stamps us on the UK’s cultural map, but also gives us a level of security allowing us to continue our work being ambitious, creative and accessible for all. It enables us to continue producing world class, rarely-performed opera gems, as well as bringing world-class musicians, performers and speakers to Derbyshire. It’s absolutely invaluable to the Festival and to the town as a whole.
‘Live performance has an important role to play in boosting well-being during difficult times. It’s known to offer comfort, distraction and everyday wonder to communities. It’s refreshing to see that the importance of this has been recognised UK-wide.’
The portfolio is the Art Council’s most varied and ambitious yet, with £446 million per annum being invested to bring art, culture and creativity to more people and places across the country. It includes £43.5 million per year as part of the Government’s 2022 ‘Levelling Up’ initiative, boosting funding outside London enabling towns like Buxton to build on their rich cultural heritage, increasing visitor numbers and boosting the local economy.
Arts Council England Chief Executive, Darren Henley, said: ‘Together, each of the 990 organisations that have been offered funding today will contribute to a portfolio that is rich, varied and truly national. This is our widest ever spread of investment across the country, ensuring that many more people will have access to a wider choice of exceptional art, culture and creative opportunities on their doorsteps. We are in tough times but we must remember creativity brings with it extraordinary dividends, boosting our country’s economic growth, creating jobs, bringing communities closer together, and making us happier as individuals. Everyone deserves to enjoy the benefits it brings, and with this investment, we believe we’ve taken a decisive step towards making that vision a reality.’